Chapter 5
Lisa text Carla as she stood outside her cottage, balancing two coffee cups and two bacon sandwiches on her small van rooftop while she sent the quick message.
Lisa had been next door to Roy’s hoping to surprise Carla, only to be told Carla was still at home - in bed - nursing a minor hangover. Lisa had chuckled to herself. After small introductions with Roy, she’d asked for Carla’s favourite and headed back out to her door.
Carla’s phone buzzed on the bedside cabinet next to her. She glanced over as she saw Lisa’s name flash up.
Morning X
Carla smiled. Warmth filling her chest. It was brief, but it still made her smile.
Morning to you too X
Carla quickly replied, not wanting to leave the other woman hanging.
If you’re feeling up to it, I’m waiting on your doorstep with what Roy promises me is your favourite from the café… X
Carla panicked. She was still in bed in her pyjamas. Another text pinged through. Carla’s heart sank.
Sorry if I’ve disturbed you. I’ll leave your breakfast on the doorstep. Let me know when you want me to finish the painting job. X
Carla didn’t think she’d ever moved so quickly in her life. Yes, she was expecting Lisa to come round today but she didn’t expect her to be early, especially if she felt anything like Carla felt this morning. I really shouldn’t have had that very, very large glass of wine before the pub last night she thought to herself.
She grabbed her dressing gown and flung it on as she bolted (and quite frankly, almost fell) down the stairs and swung the front door open before she could even consider what a state she looked in as her eyes met Lisa’s, desperate for the other woman not to go.
“Don’t go” Carla spoke, it was barely a whisper, breathless. Stepping to the side, gesturing for Lisa to come in.
Lisa’s eyes widened as the sight of Carla, stood there with messy hair, no make up on, in her dressing gown, panting as if she’d just ran a marathon. She was lost for words, a little smile tugging at the side of her lips as she made her way into the cottage when Carla had allowed her in.
Lisa passed Carla her breakfast, and Carla gladly accepted.
“Thank you.” Carla smiled softly. “Right, well my decorator seems to have gone on strike” gesturing at the dust sheets still covering all the furniture, flashing her a cheeky wink, “so I guess we’ll have to sit on the floor” Carla laughed, placing her bacon butty and coffee at the coffee table, sitting on a cushion before placing one next to her and patting the cushion for Lisa to join her.
Lisa swatted her with the cushion before she sat down next to Carla. Blushing as she smiled at the woman sitting next to her.
They both ate their breakfast in what was the most unusual, but comfortable silence they’d both experienced for quite some time.
Carla was the first to break the silence between them, really not wanting to as she was enjoying just being next to the other woman, but she wanted to shower and change, still very aware she was still in her pyjamas and dressing gown.
“I’m going to go shower and change, I feel ever so underdressed” Carla admitted shyly.
“No need to on my account” Lisa quipped, daring a cheeky grin on her face.
“Wh-…” Carla blushed. It wasn’t often that Carla was lost for words, but this certain blonde, right now, left her speechless. She flashed a quick smile at Lisa, hoping she hadn’t noticed her bright red cheeks, before heading upstairs.
Lisa took a moment, before clearing up their rubbish from breakfast, and headed out to the van to bring in the materials to hopefully apply the 2nd and final coat of paint.
She’d noticed that Carla had left some photos out and hoping she wasn’t being intrusive, she measured them up and stored the details in her phone - thinking she’d get some frames next time she was out.
She popped her hair in a messy bun and got started.
Around an hour later, she heard Carla coming down the stairs “Yeah, okay Roy, I’ll come now. Lisa’s here so just let me- never mind, I’ll see you in a minute, bye” she said softly.
“You really don’t mess around, do you?” Carla quipped. “I was only joking earlier you know…” Carla trailed off, hoping she hadn’t hurt Lisa’s feelings about her earlier comment.
“No, I know” Lisa smiled at her, and Carla’s heart skipped at the sight.
“I can help again, you know?” Carla suggested, finding any excuse to spend more time with this incredible woman.
“No, go help Roy remember. I heard you on the phone - I think he may need you?” Lisa suggested, warmly.
“Oh heck” Carla had momentarily forgot about Roy’s earlier phone request - she was too caught up in whatever this was with the blonde.
“I’ll still be here, when you get back” Lisa paused, looking down sheepishly. “If you want me to be.” Lisa dared to look Carla in the eye.
“Actually, I was thinking do you want to stay for tea? We could order a takeaway, pop a movie on or some music and you can start to interrogate me if you’d like?” Carla suggested playfully. “Although on saying that, my game, my rules so maybe less of the interrogation side?” Carla winked.
“Uhm” Lisa was blushing. “I’d love to stay for tea, but, are you sure?” Lisa was hesitant.
“Yes, of course I’m sure.” Carla remarked. “If I’m honest, I’d really like the company.”
“Okay…but just one condition.” Lisa offered.
Carla’s face fell into a smirk, “go on…” the smile tugging at her lips.
“You can’t come back until 6pm.” Lisa stated, a very mysterious look on her face.
“Hang on, wait….you know, never mind. It’s a deal.” Carla said, giving in to the glow of the other woman stood in front of her, silently pleading for Carla to agree. “I’ll see you at 6pm….in my own home…do I need to knock?” Carla asked, inquisitively.
“Uhm…” Lisa considered her options here. “What a good idea!” Lisa playfully - but meaningfully - exclaimed.
Carla’s eyes crinkled as the smile on her face widened. She shook her head as she headed out next door to Roy’s.
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6pm couldn’t come quick enough for Carla. She’d helped Roy through the lunchtime and tea time rushes, singing and humming away to herself. Roy had noticed her unusual behaviour, but he hadn’t questioned it - not yet.
He enjoyed seeing Carla happy, and if it was to do with, what he hoped was the new friend in her life, then he would happily watch from afar. He’d seen Carla’s face light up for the first time in such a long time - longer than he’d care to admit. And even though he didn’t know the other woman, he’d too seen something in her face. Especially when she came for breakfast for Carla, requesting her favourite. He’d noticed a glow perhaps, cheeks reddening in the small blonde woman at the sound of Carla name.
Lisa had been so productive in the time Carla had been at Roy’s, she was so pleased with herself. Certainly not in an egotistic way, and it wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the help from Carla, but it was more that she just couldn’t concentrate well when the tall brunette woman was around her, and she’d wanted to surprise Carla, especially for how kind and friendly she had been to her, since meeting each other.
Lisa had managed to complete the 2nd, final coat of paint, looking proud of her completed work. She put everything away in the van, removing all the dust sheets in the process and snuck out to purchase frames for the photos and pictures Carla had left lying about, using the measurements she’d stored on her phone from earlier, hoping Carla wouldn’t hear her pulling off from inside the café.
Lisa managed to leave and arrive unnoticed - she assumed. Then, just as she was framing the last photo, she heard a soft knock at the door.
She quickly gathered the framed photos together, tied a big red ribbon around them into a bow, and hurried to answer the door.
“You look like you’re up to no good” Carla playfully points her finger at Lisa as she walks into the cottage. Lisa closes the door behind her, as Carla stops in her tracks.
Silence.
Suddenly Lisa feels tense.
Carla walks slowly over to the table with the framed photos tied together with a beautiful red ribbon, while admiring the complete room around her. Not a dust sheet in sight, not a speck of paint out of place. As if no one had ever been here.
“You finished the walls?” Carla turned to her and asked as she delicately undid the ribbon around her photos.
“Yeah…” Lisa replied, her cheeks reddening. She felt rooted to the spot.
“You’ve framed these?” Tears forming in Carla’s eyes now. She felt so emotional at the thought that had gone in to the actions of the woman she still barely knew, but couldn’t keep away from.
Lisa, still rooted to the spot, and petrified she’d overstepped tried to think of what to say next “Yeah…look Carla-“ she started with, but was quickly interrupted.
“How did you know which pictures? What size frames to get?”
Lisa took a deep breath. “I saw that you’d left some photos and pictures on the table there and I know I’d asked you to dig out what you wanted and I’d frame them for you. I figured if I just measured everything there…even if you didn’t want them all, we could work something out with them. I’d take back any frames we didn’t use. I just wanted to help but if I’ve overstepped I’m so sorry” tears brimming in Lisa’s eyes now, she wasn’t exactly sure where they came from or why she felt so emotional.
“This. This is quite possibly the sweetest, kindest gesture anyone has ever done for me. Ever” Carla spoke, her voice soft.
“It’s nothing really” Lisa smiled warmly, she was being coy but her heart had filled with what Carla had said to her.
“Come here” Carla didn’t ask.
Lisa hesitated, but Carla didn’t need to ask twice. Slowly, Lisa walked over to Carla. She felt nervous, her body trembling but her eyes were lost in Carla’s. Carla watched her, equally as nervous, but never once moving her eyes away from Lisa’s.
As Lisa approached her, she wrapped her arms around Lisa’s waist, pulling her in tight and burying her head in the crook of Lisa’s neck. She could smell her perfume as she stroked her back, holding her close.
Lisa felt the tension in her body ease at Carla’s touch, and felt safe and warm as she was pulled in closer, their bodies flush. Lisa wrapped her arms around Carla’s neck, burying her head into Carla too.
“Thank you so much” Carla mumbled into Lisa. Lisa felt the warmth of her breath on her skin.
“You’re more than welcome Carla, thank you for letting me into your life.” Lisa felt overcome with emotion, but she held it in. She wanted to savour this moment of being in the other woman’s arms, a place where she was growing to feel even safer each time she was held.
Lisa stomach growled. “Was that your-“ Carla asked as Lisa replied “yeah…”
“Have you eaten?” Carla questioned as she prised herself away from Lisa’s body, much to both of their reluctance.
“No…I got caught up in all this” Lisa looked down at her feet.
“Right well, let’s get tea ordered shall we. If you still want to stay?” Carla asked, not wanting to assume.
“I’d really like that.” Lisa smiled.